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Pesticide Health and Safety Data

Aug 06: Hancock pollutes Geelong Drinking Water with Hexazinone for 18 months (and counting)

Commonly used pesticides that can be associated with plantations

Pesticide Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Health Value (b)µg/l Australian Drinking Waters Guidelines Value (a) µg/l Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Detection Limit µg/l Freshwater production toxicant guidelines protection of aquaculture species µg/l Interim trigger values for herbicides registered in Australia for use in or near waters µg/l

Water quality guidelines for recreational purposes pesticides µg/l

Alpha-Cypermethrin ? ? 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Amitrole 10 (0.01mg/L) 1 (0.001mg/L) ?   2 (0.002mg/L) 1
Atrazine# 40 (0.04mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l) 0.05 (0.00005 mg/l)      
Carbaryl 30 (0.03mg/L)          
Carfentrazone -Ethyl            
Chlorothalonil 30 (0.03mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Clopyralid 1000 (1 mg/l) 1000 (1 mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Copper Oxychloride       (Copper) (varies with hardness) <5    
Dimethoate 50 (0.05mg/l)         100
Fenitrothion 10 (0.01mg/l) ? 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)     20
Fipronil            
Glufosinate ammonium            
Glyphosate 1000 (1 mg/l) 10 (0.01mg/l) 10 (0.01mg/l)     200
Haloxyfop-methyl ? ? 0.05 (0.00005 mg/l)      
Hexazinone# 300 (0.3mg/l) 2 (0.002mg/l) 0.05 (0.00005 mg/l)     600
MCPA ? ? 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Metosulam            
Metsulfuron Methyl 30 (0.03mg/l) ? 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Oxyfluorfen            
Permethrin 100 (0.1mg/l) 1 (0.001mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Picloram# 300 (0.3mg/l) ? ?     30
Simazine 20 (0.02mg/l) 0.5 (0.0005 mg/l) 0.05 (0.00005 mg/l)      
Sulfometuron-methyl ? ? 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Terbacil 30 (0.03mg/l) 10 (0.01mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l)      
Terbuthylazine            
Triclopyr 10 (0.01mg/L) ? ?     20
2,4-D 30 (0.03mg/l) 0.1 (0.0001mg/l) 0.2 (0.0002 mg/l) <4.0   100

 

*µg/l = parts per billion

(a): These are generally based on the analytical limit of determination (the level at which the pesticide can be reliably detected using practicable readily available and validated analytical methods). If a pesticide is detected at or above this value the source should be identified and action taken to prevent further contamination.

(b): Based on 10% of Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).

#: These pesticides have either been detected on occasions in Australian drinking water or their likely use would indicate that they may occassionally be detected.

Note: Routine monitoring for pesticides is not required unless potential exists for contamination of water supplies.

Detection Limit: The lowest level of a pesticide that can be reliably detected and reported using the particular analytical method and instrumentation.

Guideline Value: The level published in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines at which steps should be taken to determine the source and to stop further contamination. In terms of drinking water, exceeding the guideline value indicated that undesirable contamination has occurred and advice from the relevant health authority should be sought.

Health Value: The level published in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for use by health authorities in managing the health risks associated with inadvertent exposure, such as spill or misuse of a pesticide. The values are set at about 10% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for an adult of 70kg consuming 2 litres of water per day. The values are conservative and include a range of safety factors.

ANZECC Guidelines Trigger Values for Freshwater µg/l

Pesticide 99% 95% 90% 80%
Alpha-Cypermethrin        
Amitrole ID ID ID ID
Atrazine 0.7 13 45c 150c
Carfentrazone -Ethyl        
Chlorothalonil        
Clopyralid        
Copper Oxychloride (Copper) 1.0 1.4 1.8c 2.5c
Dimethoate        
Fenitrothion 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Fipronil        
Glufosinate ammonium        
Glyphosate 370 1200 2000 3600a
Haloxyfop-methyl        
Hexazinone        
MCPA ID ID ID ID
Metosulam        
Metsulfuron Methyl ID ID ID ID
Oxyfluorfen        
Permethrin        
Picloram        
Simazine 0.2 3.2 11 35
Sulfometuron-methyl        
Terbacil        
Triclopyr        
2,4-D 140 280 450 830

ID=Insufficient Data

Data (Table Below) Sourced from the Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide P.A.N Bad Actor Chemical Acute Toxicity Carcinogen Cholinesterase Inhibitor Ground Water Contaminant Developmental or Reproductive Toxin Endocrine Disruptor Acute Aquatic Toxicity
Alpha-Cypermethrin Not Listed Moderate ? No ? ? Suspected  
Amitrole Yes Slight Yes No Potential ? Suspected  
Atrazine Yes Slight Yes No Yes ? Suspected Yes
Carfentrazone -Ethyl Not Listed ? Not listed No ? ? ? Moderate
Chlorothalonil Yes Yes Yes No Potential ? ?  
Clopyralid Not Listed Not Acutely ? No   ? ? Not Acutely
Copper Oxychloride (Copper) Not Listed Slight ? No ? ? ?  
Dimethoate Yes Yes Possible Yes Potential Yes ?  
Fenitrothion                
Fipronil Not Listed Moderate Possible No Potential ? Suspected  
Glufosinate ammonium Not Listed ? Not Listed No ? ? ?  
Glyphosate Not Listed Slight Not Listed No ? ? ?  
Haloxyfop-methyl Yes ? Yes No ? ? ?  
Hexazinone Yes Yes Unclassifiable No Yes ? ?  
MCPA Yes Yes Possible No ? ? ?  
Metosulam                
Metsulfuron Methyl Not Listed Slight Not Listed No Potential ? ?  
Oxyfluorfen Not Listed Slight Possible No ? ? ?  
Permethrin Not Listed Moderate Possible No ? ? Suspected  
Picloram Yes Slight Unclassifiable No Yes ? ?  
Simazine Yes Slight Possible No Yes Yes Suspected  
Sulfometuron-methyl Not Listed Slight ? No Potential ? ?  
Terbacil Yes Not Acutely Not Listed No Potential Yes ?  
Triclopyr Not Listed Slight Unclassifiable No ? ? ?  
2,4-D Not Listed Moderate Possible No Potential ? Suspected  

Data (Table Below) Sourced from the Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Water Solubility (a) Adsorption Coefficient(b) Hydroysis Half Life(c) Aerobic Soil Half Life

AnaerobicSoil Half Life

WHO Acute Hazard US EPA Product Label IARC Carcinogens US EPA Carcinogens
Alpha-Cypermethrin           II Moderately No Consensus Value Not Listed Not Likely
Amitrole                  
Atrazine 32 93 30 146 159 U Unlikely Slightly Toxic 3 Unclassifiable Not Likely
Carfentrazone -Ethyl                  
Chlorothalonil 1.00 1787 49 35 8 U Unlikely Highly Toxic 2B Possible B2 Probable
Clopyralid 1.00                
Copper Oxychloride (Copper)           III Slightly      
Dimethoate 39,800 11 68 2 22 II Moderately Moderately Toxic Not Listed C Possible
Fenitrothion                  
Fipronil 22 749 30 366 123 II Moderately     C Possible
Glufosinate ammonium - 785 30 20 - Not Listed      
Glyphosate           U Unlikely   Not Listed  
Haloxyfop-methyl           Not Listed No Consensus Value Not Listed B2 Probable
Hexazinone 298,000 640 56 222 232 III Slightly Highly Toxic Not Listed D Unclassifiable
MCPA 160,149         III Slightly Highly Toxic 2B Possible Not Likely
Metosulam                  
Metsulfuron Methyl   0.88 35.8 24.0 338.1 U Unlikely Slightly Toxic Not Listed Not Likely
Oxyfluorfen 0.12 81.3 133.5 434.5 603.0 U Unlikely Slightly Toxic Not Listed C Possible
Permethrin 0.07 231,153 37.7 25.1 50.0 II Moderately Slightly Toxic 3 Unclassifiable Suggestive
Picloram - - 65,000 324.7 898.8 U Unlikely No Consensus Value 3 Unclassifiable E Unlikely
Simazine 6 340 28 110 71 U Unlikely Slightly Toxic 3 Unclassifiable C Possible
Sulfometuron-methyl 4250 89 30 52 116 Not Listed Slightly Toxic Not Listed Not Likely
Terbacil - 0.90 42 520 178 U Unlikely No Consensus Value Not Listed E Unlikely
Triclopyr           III Slightly No Consensus Value Not Listed D Unclassifiable
2,4-D 27,644 45 39 34 333 II Moderately   2B Possible D Unclassifiable

(a) The water solubility of a pesticide is a measure of how readily the chemical will dissolve in water and is typically expressed as the maximum amount of the pesticide that will dissolve in one liter of water. Typical concentration units are mg per liter (mg/L) which is approximately equal to parts per million (ppm) or micrograms per liter (ug/L), which is approximately equal to parts per billion (ppb). The larger this number is, the more water soluble the pesticide, and the more readily the pesticide will be transported away from the application site by stormwater or irrigation water runoff.

(b) Absorption Coefficient relates to a parameter called the Organic Carbon Exhange Constant (Koc). The higher the Koc, the more soil fast the chemical.Pesticides with high Koc values are typically not very water soluble and will preferentially adhere to soils rather than be dissolved in water. This means that pesticides in this class are unlikely to be carried off-site in runoff as dissolved substances; instead, they are transported on sediment particles. For some example values consider DDT with a Koc of 100,000 (adheres strongly to soil). Diazinon has a Koc of 1,580 and is readily transported as the free substance dissolved in water.

(c) A chemical reaction that uses water to break down a compound. The amount of time required for half of the pesticide to degrade from reaction with water.

 

 

Water supplies most likely to be impacted by Hancock activities (in red):

For more detailed information on these potentially impacted water supplies, please go to connecting links:

http://www.hancock.forests.org.au/directory/regional.html

Water supplies most likely to be impacted by Hancock activities (in red):

For more detailed information on these potentially impacted water supplies, please go to connecting links:

http://www.hancock.forests.org.au/directory/regional.html

  1. Acheron - Acheron River (Central Region: LEGL93-67, LEGL93-71)
  2. Adelaide Lead - Tullaroop Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93- 39/1, 93-40/1, 93-41)
  3. Agnes - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  4. Alberton - Tarra River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-92, 93-93, 93-96, Parish Bulga)
  5. Albury/Wodonga - Murray River
  6. Alexandra - Goulburn River (Central Region: LEGL93-67, 93-68, 93-70, 93-71)
  7. Alma - Tullaroop Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93- 39/1, 93-40/1, 93-41)
  8. Anakie - Korweinguboora Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-54)
  9. Avenel - Goulburn River
  10. Ballarat - White Swan Reservoir (Ballarat Region:93-41 )
  11. Bannockburn - Moorabool River (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-52)
  12. Barmah - Murray River
  13. Batesford - Korweinguboora Reservoir (Ballarat Region:LEGL93-54 )
  14. Bealiba - Loddon River
  15. Beechworth - Nine Mile Creek (Ovens Region: 93-138, 93-139)
  16. Bellbridge - Lake Hume (Upper Murray Region LEGL's)
  17. Bendigo - Lake Eppaloch
  18. Benalla - Ryans Creek (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL 93-65, 93-66/1, 94-16)
  19. Bennison - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  20. Betley - Tullaroop Reservoir (Ballarat Region:LEGL93- 39/1, 93-40/1, 93-41 )
  21. Bonnie Doon - Lake Eildon (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL 94-17, 94-18, 94-19, 94-20)
  22. Boorcan - Gellibrand River (Otways Region:LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49 , Midway Plantations)
  23. Bridgewater - Loddon River
  24. Bright - Ovens River (Ovens Region: LEGL 93-129, 93-132, 93-133, 93-134)
  25. Bulla - Rosslynne Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-58)
  26. Camperdown - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  27. Castlemaine - Lake Eppaloch
  28. Chocolyn - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  29. Churchill - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)
  30. Cobden, - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  31. Cobram - Murray River
  32. Congupina - Goulburn River
  33. Daylesford - Stewarts Creek (Wombat Forest: LEGL 94-15)
  34. Derrinallum - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  35. Devenish - Broken Creek/River
  36. Devils Gully - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  37. Diggers Rest - Rosslynne Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-58)
  38. Dumbalk - Tarwin River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL 93-79, 93-80, 93-81, 93-82, 93-114, 93-117, 93-121)
  39. Dunnolly - Loddon River
  40. Echuca - Murray River
  41. Eildon - Lake Eildon (Benalla/Mansfield Region:LEGL 94-17, 94-18, 94-19, 94-20)
  42. Elphingstone - Lake Eppaloch
  43. Euroa - Seven Creeks (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL93-60)
  44. Flowerdale - King Parrot Creek (Central Region: LEGL93-69 - Mount Robertson)
  45. Foster - Deep Creek (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-82)
  46. Fryerstown, - Lake Eppaloch
  47. Geelong - Korweinguboora Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-54)
  48. Gellibrand - Lardners Creek/Gellibrand River Catchment (Otways Region: 93-48/1, Midway Plantations) )
  49. Gheringhap - Moorabool River (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-52)
  50. Ghotuk - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  51. Gisborne - Rosslynne Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-58)
  52. Glengarry - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)
  53. Glenormiston - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  54. Glenrowan - Fifteen Mile Creek (Benalla/Mansfield Region:93-66/1 )
  55. Goorambat - Broken Creek/River
  56. Happy Valley - King Parrot Creek (Central Region: LEGL93-69 - Mount Robertson)
  57. Harcourt - Lake Eppaloch
  58. Havelock - Tullaroop Reservoir (Ballarat Region:LEGL93- 39/1, 93-40/1, 93-41 )
  59. Heathcote - Lake Eppaloch
  60. Hedley - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  61. Hepburn Springs - Stewarts Creek (Wombat Forest: LEGL 94-15)
  62. Inglewood - Loddon River
  63. Inverleigh - Moorabool River (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-52)
  64. Kerang - Murray River/Loddon River
  65. Kiewa - Murray River from Wodonga
  66. Laanecoorie - Loddon River
  67. Lara - Korweinguboora Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-54)
  68. Lethbridge - Moorabool River (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-52)
  69. Lismore - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  70. Macedon - Riddells Creek (Ballarat Region: LEGL 93-57)
  71. Majorca - Tullaroop Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93- 39/1, 93-40/1, 93-41)
  72. Maldon - Lake Eppaloch
  73. Maryborough - Tullaroop Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93- 39/1, 93-40/1, 93-41)
  74. Meeniyan - Tarwin River (Strzelecki Region:LEGL 93-79, 93-80, 93-81, 93-82, 93-114, 93-117, 93-121)
  75. Meredith - Moorabool River (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-52)
  76. Merino - Groundwater (South West Victoria: LEGL 93-21, 93-23, ITC Plantations)
  77. Mildura - Murray River
  78. Mirboo North - Little Morwell River (Strzelecki Region Allotment 98 Parish Allambee East)
  79. Moe - Narracan Creek (Strzelecki Region LEGL93-121)
  80. Molesworth - Goulburn River
  81. Mooroopna - Goulburn River via Shepparton
  82. Morwell - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)
  83. Mount Macedon - Riddells Creek (Ballarat Region: LEGL 93-57)
  84. Moyhu - King River (Benalla Mansfield Region: 93-66/1)
  85. Murchison - Goulburn River
  86. Nagambie - Goulburn River
  87. Nathalia - Broken Creek (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL 93-62, LEGL 93-65)
  88. Newborough - Narracan Creek (Strzelecki Region LEGL93-121)
  89. Newstead - Lake Eppaloch
  90. Noojee - Loch River (LEGL93-118)
  91. Noorat - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49. Midway Plantations) )
  92. Numurkah - Broken Creek (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL 93-62, LEGL 93-65)
  93. Oxley - King River (Benalla Mansfield Region: 93-66/1. Ovens Region LEGL 93-149, 93-150, 93-151, 93-152)
  94. Paradise Valley- King Parrot Creek (Central Region: LEGL93-69 - Mount Robertson)
  95. Piangil - Murray River
  96. Port Albert - Tarra River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-92, 93-93, 93-96, Parish Bulga)
  97. Port Franklin - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  98. Port Welshpool - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  99. Raywood - Lake Eppaloch
  100. Riddell - Bulk supply from Sunbury (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-58)
  101. Robinvale - Murray River
  102. Rosedale - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)
  103. Rutherglen - Murray River
  104. Seaspray - Merrimans Creek (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-106, 93-107, 93-108, 93-116, APM plantations)
  105. Sebastian, - Lake Eppaloch
  106. Seymour - Goulburn River (Central Region LEGL93-67, LEGL93-68, LEGL93-69, LEGL93-70, LEGL93-71 Midway Plantations).
  107. Shepparton - Goulburn River
  108. Simpson - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  109. South Purrumbete - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49)
  110. St. James - Broken Creek (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL 93-62, LEGL 93-65)
  111. Strathfieldsaye - Lake Eppaloch
  112. Sunbury - Rosslynne Reservoir (Ballarat Region: LEGL93-58)
  113. Swan Hill - Murray River
  114. Taggerty - Acheron River (Central Region: LEGL93-67, LEGL93-71)
  115. Tallangatta - Lake Hume (Upper Murray Region LEGL's)
  116. Tallarook - Goulburn River
  117. Tallygaroopna - Goulburn River
  118. Tangambalanga - Murray River from Wodonga
  119. Taradale - Lake Eppaloch
  120. Tarnagulla - Loddon River
  121. Terang - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations) )
  122. Tooborac - Bulk supply from Heathcote - Lake Eppaloch
  123. Toolamba - Goulburn River via Shepparton
  124. Toora - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  125. Trafalgar - Narracan Creek (Strzelecki Region LEGL93-121)
  126. Traralgon - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)
  127. Traralgon South - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)
  128. Tungamah - Broken Creek/River
  129. Wangaratta - Ovens River (Ovens Region: LEGL's 93-124/1, 93-125/1, 93-127/1, 93-128/1,LEGL 93-129, 93-130/1, 93-131/1, 93-132, 93-133, 93-134-1, 93-141, 93-142/1, 93-143/1, 93-144, 93-145, 93-146, 93-147, 93-148, 93-149, 93-150, 93-151, 93-152, 93-153/1, 93-154/1, 93-155, 93-156, 93-176)
  130. Warrenbayne - Baddaganinnie Creek (Benalla/Mansfield Region 93-63)
  131. Warrnambool - Gellibrand River (Otways Region: LEGL 93-47/1, 93-48/1, 93-49, Midway Plantations)
  132. Welshpool - Agnes River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-85)
  133. Westbury - Narracan Creek (Strzelecki Region LEGL93-121)
  134. Wunghnu - Broken Creek from Numurkah (Benalla/Mansfield Region: LEGL 93-62, LEGL 93-65)
  135. Yackandandah - Nine Mile Creek(Ovens Region:LEGL93-136, 93-137, 93-138, 93-139 )
  136. Yallourn North - Narracan Creek (Strzelecki Region LEGL93-121)
  137. Yarragon - Narracan Creek (Strzelecki Region LEGL93-121)
  138. Yarram - Tarra River (Strzelecki Region: LEGL93-92, 93-93, 93-96, Parish Bulga)
  139. Yarrawonga - Murray River
  140. Yea - Yea River/Goulburn River (Midway Plantations)
  141. Yinnar - Moondarra Reservoir (Strzelecki Region LEGL 93-120, Moondarra)

Rat study shows grandpa's poisons may affect you Thu Jun 2, 2005 04:23 PM ET  WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

Toxic chemicals that poisoned your grandparents, or even great-grandparents, may also affect your health, U.S. researchers suggested on Thursday.

A study in rats shows the effects of certain toxic chemicals were passed on for four generations of males.

The finding, published in the journal Science, suggests that toxins may play a role in inherited diseases now blamed on genetic mutations. "It's a new way to think about disease," said Michael Skinner, director of the Center for Reproductive Biology at Washington State University in Pullman. "We believe this phenomenon will be widespread and be a major factor in understanding how disease develops."

For their study, Skinner and colleagues injected pregnant rats with vinclozolin, a fungicide commonly used in vineyards, and methoxychlor, a pesticide that replaced DDT. Both are endocrine disrupters -- synthetic chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of reproductive hormones, notably testosterone and estrogen.

Animal studies have shown they can affect fertility and the development of genitals, for example. Scientists knew that treating pregnant rats with high doses of vinclozolin every day produces sterile male pups.

Skinner's team injected vinclozolin into pregnant rats during a specific time during gestation when the developing embryos take on sexual characteristics. Male rat pups born to these mothers had a 20 percent lower than normal sperm count, their sperm were less motile, meaning they did not swim as well, and they were less fertile.

There were similar results with methoxychlor.

When these male offspring were mated with females that had not been exposed to the toxins, 90 percent of the new male offspring had similar problems. The effect held for a fourth generation. That has never been seen before, although radiation and cancer chemotherapy are known to affect fertility and the children of people affected.

Radiation can also cause "germline" genetic mutations -- mutations in DNA in egg and sperm cells that can be passed from one generation to the next. But it happens only rarely. These changes were not mutations, Skinner's team said.

Instead, they were changes in a process called methylation, in which chemical compounds attach to and affect DNA.   Such changes might play a role in diseases such as breast cancer and prostate disease, both of which are on the rise, Skinner said.